Crikey, it feels like a while since I've had a chance to blog properly. The day job has been getting in the way a fair bit, but don't worry, I've not forgotten you all. In fact, I've got a hot new venue for you - New Ground Coffee are about to open a roastery and coffee bar in Headington.
Most of you probably know we already have a cracking coffee scene in Oxford and the … [Read more...]

With the Dodo pubs, you just know everything’s always going to be alright. And, these days, it’s a very valuable thing to be able to take joy in the simple pleasure of going to your local. Getting excellent friendly service, knowing you’re going to enjoy good food done well and be offered a selection of quality drinks.
I’m always very relaxed for a meal at the Rusty and or … [Read more...]

A joint review of The Cherwell Boathouse by Hannah Bond and Lucy Ayrton – Lucy’s comments in italics.
The Cherwell Boathouse is absolutely beautiful. If you’re looking for a quintessential, idyllic Oxford setting, then look no further. It’s tucked down a side street in the leafy north of the city, hidden away at the end of a path that leads to the river. It couldn’t be … [Read more...]

A joint review by Hannah Bond and Lucy Ayrton – Lucy’s comments in italics
Before we were offered the opportunity to review The Plough at 38 for Bitten, I’d never even heard of its existence. This is pretty weird, given Oxford is a small place and I am fairly invested in the local restaurant scene, and yet somehow it had completely passed me by. I think partly it’s because I … [Read more...]

If you've ever heard the words ‘steak platter’ mentioned around Oxford you'll know about The Chester. Over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, The Chester hosted a beer and cider festival to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. They boasted over 40 beers and ciders along with top-notch BBQ food.
The festival kicked off on Thursday evening and ended on Monday evening, … [Read more...]

A joint review by Hannah Bond and Lucy Ayrton – Lucy’s comments in italics.
Full disclosure: there is no point in us reviewing The Rusty Bicycle as a pub in a more general sense, because we basically live there. They might as well have a plaque on a table for us. We spend a completely disproportionate amount of our earnings in this establishment. This does not mean, however, … [Read more...]

Earlier this week I visited The Up In Arms for a sneak peek, ahead of its soft launch this weekend.
The pub's story has been covered a lot in the local press, so I won't go into loads of detail, but to give you a brief overview...
The New Marston pub, previously named The Somerset, shut in 2014. Local residents, hugely disappointed and spurred on by the closure of more … [Read more...]

In case you missed it on Facebook last week, Modern Baker's cafe in Summertown has closed.
The business, which is known for it's healthier bakes and cakes, will be focussing on it's wider cause - "to democratise healthy baking, for the common good".
Bitten went to visit their research and development kitchen in Kidlington last year, where we found out all about their … [Read more...]

My son Rubén and I have been specialist importers since 2016, when we set up L’altre Vi, or “the other wine”.
We have roots in the Penedès region and wanted to share the beautiful wines we knew so well, and pass on our enthusiasm for a little corner of the world which isn’t so well known in the UK. There’s nothing stuffy about wine in Catalonia and we don’t think it matters … [Read more...]

Turl Street Kitchen on... Turl Street... has a new Head Chef as of today!
Ben Gibbons, whose food I've had the genuine pleasure of enjoying at Taco Bandits and Hertford College, confirmed plans to close the restaurant for a week or two at some point to give both the front and back of house of the restaurant a bit of a lift.
The menu will be modern European with food … [Read more...]

Silvie - one of my fave Oxford cafes - has launched a new Sunday lunch offering. The bakery cafe is well known for its glorious cinnamon buns, fab brunches and delicious vegan offerings. But, hold tight, there's a new reason to visit.
Step through the turquoise front door, into what seems like a traditional family home, and you'll find yourself in a cosy cafe decked out in … [Read more...]

Vine has been around the Cowley Road for a couple of years now, serving up some lovely wines by the glass and very good vegetarian (and non vegetarian) brunches. While I’d been in for a glass of wine now and again, I’d never tried one of their wine tastings before. I’d been to other tastings in Oxford and enjoyed them, but felt that they were a little stuffy, taking themselves … [Read more...]

Having given their Instagram an eyeing up since November, and after a glowing review from Giles Coren, I thought it was high time to give Pompette a try.
Pompette takes up the same spot left by Portabello on South Parade. For my money, Summertown has been in dire need of an eaterie to sit between The Oxford Kitchen and the more straight forward pasta-and-pizza offerings of … [Read more...]

One of my favourite Oxford venues, Pint Shop, is set to close this weekend. They announced the closure yesterday on social media, and have shared the following release with us.
Pint Shop, the British Beer House operator, has announced it will close its Oxford site this Saturday 16th February.
Co – founder Richard Holmes said, ‘We’ve loved being part of the Oxford scene for … [Read more...]

Teardrop Bar is one of the latest editions to Oxford Covered Market, taking on the old Haymans Fisheries spot and run by the brains behind Church Hanbrewery. If you haven’t come across Church Hanbrewery before, they're based in Church Hanborough (the name probably gives it away!) and have been producing beer since 2015.
I discovered the joys of Church Hanbrewery at the … [Read more...]

Oxford's newest pub, well, returning pub anyway as it originally opened in 1656, is The Plough on Cornmarket Street.
Since Austin Reed’s closure in 2016, it had been empty until the back end of last year. At the moment they're going through a ‘soft launch’ with the grand opening in February. In talking with Steve Jones, who will assist in running the bar, he mentioned they … [Read more...]

I'm going to say from the off, that I'm a big fan of Tap Social Movement. I like the mismatched tables and chairs with the casual, friendly atmosphere. It makes you forget that you're in an industrial estate unit on the outskirts of Botley and are, instead, part of a welcoming, community space.
The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable and will talk to you about what … [Read more...]

“While through your pores the dews distil / Like amber bead” Address to a Haggis
With Burns Night coming up this Friday, we sought the advice of Michael from newly opened Grape Minds in Summertown, an independent wine, beer and spirits shop, for their top whisky tips and recommendations.
Whisky is the subject of great adoration and complete bafflement, a delightful drop … [Read more...]

So apparently it's #CheeseLoversDay this Sunday. Mostly an American holiday but, what the hell, we love cheese and wine and have to wait till October for Great British Cheese Day, so let's celebrate anyway!
Leigh Gooding from Vine, an independent wine shop, cafe and bar on Cowley Road, has put together a list of his top cheese and wine pairings so you can make the most of … [Read more...]

How Ogglio Oil all began…
My name is Giuseppe Trapani, and I have been working and living in Oxford for more than a decade now. I work for Oxford University Press, but recently, I have started an olive oil project in my spare time, outside of working hours.
I am originally from Sicily, and I come from a family of farmers. As tradition wants, the land is passed on from … [Read more...]

I meet a lot of people working on Bitten, lots of chefs, restaurateurs, new business owners. The ones I love meeting the most, are the ones with genuine passion for what they're doing. The kind of passion that radiates out of them and immerses you in their dream.
Kate Hamblin is one of those people. A baker by trade, with stints at E5 Bakehouse, Moro, and bakeries in … [Read more...]

Street food favourites Souvlaki Brothers are opening at Oxford's Covered Market later this month, and we can't wait!
Greek brothers Panny and Yanny Skrivanos started Souvlaki Brothers from scratch, serving traditional Greek souvlaki out the back of a street food trailer. You may well recognise them from Bitten Street, as they've been a regular trader with us for a while … [Read more...]

Last week, Becca and I had the opportunity to spend a day at Modern Baker's new research and development kitchen on the outskirts of Kidlington. The Nordic-inspired open space is an opportunity for the team to produce their pioneering healthy baked range of bread, cakes and biscuits.
Many Oxford locals will already be familiar with Modern Baker, from its pale jade-fronted … [Read more...]

Those of you in the know will have visited pop-up wine bar and takeaway Vine Oxford during its temporary appearance on Cowley Road last year. Those who aren't in the know can find out more here.
The good news is, it's returning. And the better news is it will be permanent!
Opening from early April in the original Atomic Burgers building, Vine will be a wine shop and cafe … [Read more...]

Vegans in Oxford have been anxiously awaiting the opening of Happy Friday Kitchen, the latest food lover’s addition to Cowley Road, and the city’s first fully vegan restaurant. On offer on the menu is a range of plant-based comfort food including pizzas, burgers, and Buddha bowls, alongside the diner’s offering of indulgent baked goods, and a mini-market where you can pick up a … [Read more...]